Lance Lubel
GALVESTON - Roy Saldana is suing his employer G&H Towing Co. after he slipped and fell on an oil slick two years ago.
According to a lawsuit filed Jan. 6 in Galveston County District Court, the incident occurred June 1, 2010, while the assistant engineer worked on the W.D. Haden tugboat owned and operated by the defendant.
Saldana recalls going downstairs to the engine room on the starboard side of the vessel when he noticed oil near an engine.
"Although the plaintiff attempted to avoid the oil, when he turned to investigate the port side of the engine room, he slipped in the oil and fell," the original petition says.
"As a result, the plaintiff injured his right knee, ACL and broke his right hand."
The plaintiff immediately reported this incident to the vessel's captain and sought medical care.
He blames the respondent for failing to providing him a reasonably place to work; failing to properly train employees and contractors; failing to maintain adequate safety programs; failing to properly and safely supervise the activities on the vessel; failing to properly maintain machines, equipment and mechanisms located on said vessel and failing to inspect and maintain suitable equipment.
Consequently, he seeks unspecified monetary damages.
Lubel Voyles LLP is representing the plaintiff, and Galveston County 56th District Court Judge Lonnie Cox is presiding over the case.
Case No. 12-cv-0014